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Clerk reports election costs, turnout and second‑quarter finances; revenues slightly ahead of budget pace
Summary
Clerk Anna Silk reported the city spent about $18,513 for the August election and $20,163 for the November election; turnout was 31% in August and 62% in November. The second‑quarter fiscal report showed the general fund at about 52.8% of amended revenue and 44% of amended expenditures through Dec. 31.
Clerk Anna Silk presented election costs and voter turnout figures and the city’s second‑quarter financial report to the Alpena City Council on Feb. 3.
Silk said the combined costs for the August and November elections were $18,513 and $20,163, respectively. The largest single expense was payroll for election workers (including early voting): $9,685 for August and $11,099 for November. The city received $2,313.50 in state reimbursement for August early‑voting wages and expects $2,692.50 for November. Silk noted the city’s early‑voting arrangement with the township reduced anticipated early‑voting costs compared with earlier estimates.
Registered voters numbered 8,749 for August (31% turnout, 2,686 voters) and 8,835 for November (62% turnout, 5,502 voters). Silk provided turnout breakdowns: in August about 2.8% of votes were early, 41.6% absentee and 55.6% in‑person; in November about 16.1% were early, 35% absentee and 48.8% in‑person. Silk said the largest demographic for both elections was females age 60 and older.
On the fiscal report, Silk said the general fund original revenue budget was $13,035,391 and the amended revenue budget was $14,589,307. Through Dec. 31 the city had received $7,699,865 (52.78% of the amended budget). Expenditures were $6,800,000 (44% of the amended budget). Silk pointed to timing‑related variances: a large pension contribution ($1,240,000) paid in December pushed some functions above the 50% mark; ambulance revenue timing includes a reversing entry that depresses midyear recognition; some capital and grant receipt lines (e.g., land bank/blight funds, volleyball courts, Culligan Plaza) had not yet been received or spent. Silk said ARPA obligations remain and cited $890,000 (approx.) still reserved for projects such as city hall windows and Bayview restrooms.
Council moved to receive and file the election cost and turnout report and later moved to receive and file the second quarter fiscal year 2024‑25 financial report; both motions carried on recorded “aye” votes.
Council members asked procedural questions, including precinct staffing and the possibility of combining adjacent precincts to reduce equipment and supply costs. Silk said combining precincts could reduce tabulator and supply needs but might affect lines during high‑turnout contests; any change would require election‑commission consideration. Silk also explained the city’s cash balances, investments and fund specifics including marina grants that had not yet been received and the equipment fund increase for a planned fire apparatus purchase.
The clerk’s presentation and the finance report provide the basis for staff’s budget amendment proposals and for upcoming project obligations; council did not adopt additional budget changes at the Feb. 3 meeting.
